The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has sparked worldwide panic in recent months, leading to mass quarantines, school closures, and travel restrictions. As of late March 2020, there have been hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, with thousands of deaths reported.
Despite the alarming spread of the disease, it is important to put the outbreak into perspective. While the number of confirmed cases and deaths related to COVID-19 continue to rise, the disease is still far less deadly than several other established viruses.
For example, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu has caused an estimated 12,000 to 61,000 deaths annually in the United States alone since 2010. While the exact number of deaths caused by COVID-19 is unknown, the virus has currently resulted in only a fraction of those numbers.
However, it is important to keep in mind that COVID-19 is still in its early stages and has not yet reached its peak. If it continues to spread at its current rate, it could surpass the death toll of the flu.
Additionally, COVID-19 has a higher mortality rate than the flu. While the flu typically has a mortality rate of less than 1%, COVID-19 has a mortality rate estimated to be between 1% and 3%. This may seem low, but it is important to remember that the virus spreads rapidly, meaning that even a small percentage of infected individuals can result in a large number of deaths.
Compared to other deadly viruses, such as SARS and swine flu, COVID-19 may not be as severe. The SARS outbreak that occurred between 2002 and 2004 had a mortality rate of nearly 10%, resulting in over 8,000 cases and 774 deaths. In comparison, the swine flu outbreak in 2009 had a mortality rate of less than 1%, resulting in over 1.4 million cases and approximately 18,500 deaths worldwide.
It is important to keep in mind that the severity of COVID-19 can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including age, underlying health conditions, and access to medical care. While the number of reported cases and deaths may be relatively low at the moment, the situation is constantly evolving, and it is important to remain vigilant and informed about the outbreak.
In conclusion, while numerically more people may have died as a result of the flu compared to COVID-19, it is important to remember that the latter is still in its early stages of outbreak. The severity of the virus cannot be compared to earlier viral outbreaks as it depends on a number of factors. The best way to combat the virus is through frequent handwashing, avoiding crowded places, and following government guidelines.